Dr. Charles R. Rogers is an esteemed behavioral scientist and a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®), whose visionary leadership is exemplified as the Founding Director of the Men’s Health Inequities Research Lab. He is also an invited Member of the world-renowned University of Michigan Mixed Methods Program. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Rogers has been deeply committed to addressing cancer-related health disparities among various underserved and socially vulnerable groups. His advocacy and community-engaged research spans a diverse array of communities, including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, older adults, African Americans, the unhoused, Somalis, adolescents, Hispanics, young adults, rural residents, Indigenous peoples, and sexual minorities. His steadfast dedication to these communities has left a profound and lasting impact, driving significant advancements in the field and transforming countless lives.
Dr. Rogers is committed to dismantling systems of oppression to ensure equitable health for all. His transdisciplinary training in applied mathematics & statistics, health education, public health administration & policy, community-based participatory research, and cancer-related health disparities provide a unique perspective on translating research findings into prevention methods for government agencies, policymakers, private health care organizations, and communities. Dr. Rogers’ exceptional capabilities and potential have earned him local and national recognition, including numerous competitive scholarships, grant awards, and fellowships that have further honed his expertise in cancer health equity research. He has secured over $3.3 million in funding from prominent entities such as the National Cancer Institute, the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Exact Sciences, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research for his community-engaged, mixed-methods research aiming to eradicate inequalities in both colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among African-American men and address early-onset CRC in individuals younger than the previously recommended screening age of 50.
Dr. Rogers is a highly respected expert in health disparities reduction, bringing over 20 years of experience to the field. His influence spans North America, Jamaica, East Africa, and Japan, where he has shared his knowledge through newspapers, health fairs, transnational conferences, and community dialogue sessions. For more than 15 years, Dr. Rogers has been dedicated to finding solutions that address the root causes of disparities in men’s health, with a particular focus on CRC awareness and prevention among African-American men. In March 2021, he founded the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, which seeks to overcome barriers to CRC equity among African-American men and other marginalized populations by raising awareness about CRC—a preventable, treatable, and beatable disease that no one should die from. Recognized as a thought leader in CRC, Dr. Rogers also focuses on cancer health equity, community-based implementation science, mixed methods, and survey methodology.
His dedication to creating meaningful change radiates through his impactful work and unwavering efforts. Dr. Rogers’ insights reach wide audiences though publication in journals like JCO Oncology Practice, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, and JAMA Network Open, as well as on platforms like NPR, where he drives critical conversations, informs policy change, and inspires action. Recognized by leading organizations and media, including ESPN, the Utah Jazz, the Japan Society for Mixed Methods Research, and the World Health Organization, he has received numerous honors. Among them are an Endowed Chair, the 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health distinction, the American College of Gastroenterology’s SCOPY Award from for Best Clinical Trial of a Community-Based Mass Media Campaign, the Cancer Community Catalyst for Change Award, and recognition as one of NC State University’s 100 Most Influential Black Alumni. Despite these accomplishments, Dr. Rogers considers his roles as husband to Dr. Tiana and father to Charles II as his most significant and cherished achievements.
